Veterinary and food inspectors conducted nearly 55,000 controls and destroyed close to 238 tonnes of food considered as unsafe over the course of 2020, said Food and Veterinary Agency Director Nikolche Babovski on Monday, on occasion of World Food Safety Day.
Babovski said Macedonian citizens consume safe food, adding “unfortunately, there are always shortcomings.”
“We did our best, amid a pandemic, to protect citizens, enhancing controls since the start of the outbreak,” said Babovski.
He added that people’s interest in food safety is on the rise, with 74 out of 173 complaints filed to the Agency related to food safety.
“Digital innovations, scientific progress, as well as adherence to traditional knowledge that has withstood the test of time, should ensure increased availability of safe food for citizens in the future,” noted Babovski.
Organization of Consumers of Macedonia President Marijana Lonchar Velkova said there is nothing more important than consumers consuming safe food.
“We expect enhancement of the legal framework, stricter standards, more trust of consumers in food, increased education of consumers towards avoiding food risks, proper implementation of hygiene and control rules, and continued inspection,” said Lonchar Velkova.
She added that majority of the complaints by citizens referred to the storing and declarations at products, as well as expiration date.
